We present a comparison of two server administrations — our VPS Center and ISPConfig. We will not analyze the administration in the last details. We’ll break down how they differ the most, who they’re suitable for, and we’ll put together images directly from the administration.
We won’t hold back the VPS Center too much. You can also have a server with ISPConfig with us. But the VPS Center is closer to our ideal.
ISPConfig
The biggest difference is the way in which both administrations are developed. ISPconfig is open source and is contributed by developers from all over the world . This means that everyone out there wants a feature that others may never use. This results in poorer visibility.
On the other hand, you can install ISPConfig on several specific database by industry Linux distributions: Debian, Ubuntu, CentOS, Fedora and OpenSuSE. You can control multiple servers from one administration and it has really blessed functions.
VPS Center
Try our server and domain management application for free. You will feel like an experienced administrator.
If you have a server with ISPConfig with us, it is subject to limited technical support. It’s not our administration, we don’t know it from A to Z, like the VPS Center and many things work differently in it. But that doesn’t mean we’ll leave you alone. It’s just that we can’t solve and test every problem that may appear there due to time constraints. To date, they have 1,100 open issues/bug tickets on github on various distributions.
If you have no experience with ISPConfig or server management, we recommend choosing a server with a VPS Center.
VPS Center
A corporate jewel that we develop at our own discretion and according to the needs of our customers . We develop an application tailored to our servers and one specific distribution: Debian . Thanks to this, we are able to use all the potential. E.g. in the form of full support or automatic security updates.
We can configure the server for maximum performance and reliability. With us, you have verified configurations for PHP and web servers, which we have been testing on one distribution for over 10 years. That is why we have rich experience with it and great results.
We are also of the opinion that server administration should not have a button for everything. The VPS Center is mainly used by users who do not have much experience with server management. We therefore try to make it as simple and clear as possible. According to the references, we are doing well.
In the VPS Center you will find many things already prepared. From database management applications, webmail, through security features to monitoring applications: munin and sysinfo. The server is immediately ready for operation .
First impressions
ISP Config
After ordering the server, you will receive an installation protocol where you can find all accesses to the server with a link to the administration. You can buy a 400-page manual on ISPConfig for 5 euros. This will support the development of this open source solution.
After logging in, you will see the main dashboard. When logging in for the first time, the entire administration is in English and you have to go to the settings and change the language to Czech. What bothers me a bit is the left column with news and the available modules section that duplicates the top menu.
Freelo – Task and project management tool
Join, invite your team and clients, divide the work and watch the tasks go into motion.
Administration of ISPConfig
If you are in the administration for the first time, we recommend that you click through it all so that you know where to look for what.
The interesting thing about the administration is that they don’t log you out even after 2 hours of inactivity. The VPS Center will automatically log you out after 10 minutes.
VPS Center
The first login to the administration is exactly the same. In the installation log, you will find a link to the administration and login information. The administration already has a factory-issued SSL certificate from Let’s Encrypt.
The VPS Center shows how the minimalist design helps with orientation.
Home page of the VPS Center.
After logging in, you can go through the instructions , where in 9 minutes we will show the most important things for controlling the server.
You will also find help links throughout to find out more information.
Creating the first web hosting
ISP Config
Click on “Pages” in the menu and on the green “create website” button.
Web hosting setup form .
At first glance, you can immediately see how many options you have in the settings. Under which client you will place the web hosting, quotas, SSL, choose the configuration and you can start. Experienced users will certainly welcome the choice of multiple configurations (you have to create them) and 3 PHP mode options. (Fast-CGI, Mod-PHP, PHP-FPM).
You can also upload your own SSL certificate, set up backup or redirection right when you set it up.
The downside is the default PHP version. Always the agent email list latest. Lower versions must be installed by the user himself, just like webmail. Also, you cannot directly set up FTP accesses, databases or DNS in the installation. The same applies to e-mails. Everything is set up separately. So it takes quite a while to set up the first website.
VPS Center
Below you can see the form for setting up your first web hosting. Much simpler and more straightforward.
Form for establishing the first web hosting .
You enter the domain, select the services you need and thus activate the hosting. We will select our configuration for the web server, the latest PHP version + FPM mod. Later you can choose a lower version of PHP. As a rule, you will find the last 4 versions on the server.
We will still send all accesses to e-mail.
Web hosting is immediately ready to use. Just upload the data to FTP, change the DNS domain and you’re done. If you buy a domain directly from us, we will automatically set DNS in the background for you.
Administration functionality
ISPConfig
The function is blessed by the administration, but you have to install and set up some services and applications additionally. However, there are plenty of instructions on the internet and it’s not complicated. It just takes time and tests your patience. On the other hand, you will have tools on the server that you really want to use and you will not needlessly reduce the performance of the server.
The clients section is good, where you have all the overview with the possibility to send bulk e-mails. Set automatic emails if they exceed a certain limit, etc. You can also divide clients into groups.
ISP Config has really experienced client management .
Many functionalities are also offered by the e-mail section, where you have a simpler option to manage spam filters, white/black lists and global settings of the entire server. We lack such a function in the VPS Center, but many users do not even write about it, so we are not in a hurry with it.
We prefer to solve a good default functionality so that it is not even needed.
Spam Policy Settings .
The management of DNS records is cleverly thought out. In it you can create your own templates or import all DNS records for individual domains. This is especially useful for larger migrations.
The configuration of the server is also rich, where you can set your own prefixes, change the IP addresses of the given server, the firewall or run updates of the operating system or ISPConfig.
I find the overviews of server load and logs great. You will find everything there. The administration can refresh the logs every 5 minutes, so you always have fresh information. But I miss the search option . You are often interested in a specific IP address or an error, and here, unfortunately, you have to search for everything “on your own”.
The management of classic services such as e-mails, databases, FTP is rather confusing. It can be seen that the administration is mainly done for multiple servers.
VPS Center
Here, at first glance, you can see the clarity. Even how to close self employment in 2023 3 way an inexperienced user can find everything intuitively. Most services have a question mark at hand with a hint of what the function does and a link to more detailed information. There is nothing like that with ISP Config, and if you don’t know, you have to look in the documentation or on the Internet.
My favorite page in VPSC is server management . Here you will find running services with the option to restart or stop them. You will often use this when you change something in the configuration or the service does not behave as it should. There is no such option with ISPConfig and it must be restarted directly on SSH.
Server administration and one-time actions .
Administrators know what customers use the most, and we have put exactly such functions in the one-time actions section. They are complicated to do on SSH, but here only one click is enough.
Back up all databases.
Enable / Disable remote DB login.
Enable / Disable Firewall.
Apache and Nginx web server change.
Empty the mail queue of a specific mailbox.
Reboot the server.
On the right side there is a menu with which you can control the services of individual domains. So anywhere in the administration you can access the management of the domain and all services that run under it.
Another advantage of the VPS Center is its readiness. You have all the tools installed on the server that will make server management easier. Webmail, webFTP, database management, monitoring and there is also documentation, information about the server and PHP.
Prepared tools in the VPS Center .
Most things for a specific domain can be found in the settings section. You can generate an SSL certificate from Let’s Encrypt, set up a backup, or create client access to this domain only.
The most important functions in the settings section .
Clear settings for regular backups, including email and the option to exclude folders.
A critical part of websites is mostly PHP. With us, you can find the latest 4 versions of PHP, and you can adjust the configuration, including the web server, for each domain. We monitor the syntax, so if you edit the configuration incorrectly, we won’t let you save it . This would result in the domain not working, sometimes even the server.
PHP settings for the domain .
The last part is overviews. In them you will find information about the operation of the server. We also send e-mail notifications (e.g. in case of high load, large e-mail queue, etc.), so you don’t have to check it yourself. You can find logs for the entire server or a specific domain in the reports. You can also search in them, and the highlighted syntax will show where the search term is located.
I miss the search in ISP Config
Final assessment
Each administration is for a different type of user. The same applies to its use. From the article, you will definitely know which administration is ideal for you.
ISPConfig is more for more demanding us ers and bulk server management. You don’t have to login to SSH on each server separately and you can adapt it yourself to your own needs, incl. linux distributions. But you have to know what you’re doing.
The VPS Center, on the other hand, is for people who want to take advantage of the benefits of their own server. Have more performance, unlimited web hosting and don’t worry about updates and complicated setup. At the same time, you will get technical support that will help you solve any problems .
We supply servers with both VPS Center and ISPConfig. You can easily order both servers for free and try each administration separately. Then you decide which one to stay with.
